Zelensky in Ukraine questions US commitment to Europe’s future

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy questioned the United States’ commitment to its transatlantic allies, saying President Donald Trump’s decision to focus on domestic issues in his first act in office suggested he would not care not about the future of Europe.

“Right now, all eyes are on Washington, but who is really looking at Europe right now?” Zelenskyy asked the audience of business leaders and heads of state gathered in Davos, Switzerland, during his speech on Tuesday.

Zelensky sought to appeal to European officials and businesses, warning that the region’s security was at risk, as Trump showed where his priorities lie through his first executive orders, signed after his inauguration on Monday.

Suspending the TikTok ban instituted in the final days of his predecessor Joe Biden’s administration, declaring a national border emergency and rolling back climate targets were among the orders Trump signed in his first act as the 47th President of the United States.

“Will President Trump notice Europe? Does he view NATO as necessary and will he respect European institutions?” Zelensky asked, emphasizing that global relations are changing, with Europe now fearing that the United States will abandon it in its time of need. Washington does not share this concern, Zelensky said.

“Is there anyone in the United States who fears that Europe might one day abandon them, cease to be their ally? The answer is ‘no,'” he told delegates.

“Europe cannot afford to be second or third among (US) allies. If that happens, the world will begin to move forward without Europe…Europe must compete for first place in terms of priorities, alliances and technological development.

The region must establish itself as a “strong global player,” the Ukrainian leader said.

Zelensky’s presence and speech presented kyiv with a key opportunity for Ukraine to press its own peace proposals, ahead of likely pressure from new President Donald Trump to reach a ceasefire deal with Russia .

February will mark the third anniversary of the Russian invasion, and war weariness is growing amid uncertainty over future aid to Ukraine that would allow it to continue fighting Russian advances in the south and is from the country.

While Western allies have pledged to maintain military support for kyiv, Trump has been far more ambivalent about continued U.S. aid and has previously boasted that he would end the war within 24 hours if he became president.

Ukraine’s partners in Europe have expressed concern that kyiv could be pushed into an unfair peace deal with Moscow that would force it to abandon territory currently occupied by Russia. Critics fear that such an arrangement could allow Russia to regroup, rearm and later return to try to annex more territory.

On Tuesday, Zelensky warned that Europe could find itself excluded from any future peace negotiations over Ukraine and that the United States could pursue talks with Russia and China on its own.

“At present, it is not certain whether Europe will have a seat at the negotiating table when the war against our country ends, and we see the influence of China on Russia. We are deeply grateful to Europe for all the support it has given our country, but will President Trump listen to Europe or will he negotiate with Russia and China, without Europe? » he asked.

President Trump has already raised the possibility of a near-term meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, with whom he maintained cordial relations during his first term.

In contrast, Trump expressed more mixed feelings toward President Zelensky, calling him both “very honorable” and “the greatest salesman” of the past.

Aware of their precarious position, Ukrainian officials have sought closer ties with Trump since his election victory, with Zelenksyy and his team expressing optimism about their ability to work together toward peace in Ukraine.

Congratulating Trump on his election victory, Zelenskyy said on social media platform

Maxim Timchenko, chief executive of DTEK, Ukraine’s largest energy company, told CNBC’s Dan Murphy on Tuesday that Ukraine needs a fair peace deal and said he believes Trump could help achieve it.

“All Ukrainians want a resolution as much as anyone else, but it’s not just about a resolution, it’s about fairness, it’s about a just peace. It’s about something which can last for many years rather than a break (in the war),” he said. in Davos.

“I trust President Trump because we have common values ​​in our countries and I am confident that President Trump will protect those values ​​and we will rebuild a new Ukraine on those values.”

Hinting at the often transactional nature of Trump’s foreign and trade policy, Timchenko said there could be future cooperation with the United States on energy security and the possible reconstruction of Ukraine.